Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which legislation created the requirement for individuals to obtain permission from every riparian property owner to pass through their land while using a waterway; and whether he plans to (a) clarify and (b) amend existing guidance on public access to rivers.

Determining access rights onto rivers is complex. There is no general waterway access right and the matter has not been tested in the courts. It is not government’s role to offer legal advice, and at present those seeking to navigate inland rivers for recreational purposes where there is no navigation authority should establish that they have a legal right to do so, either through voluntary agreement with riparian landowners or otherwise.

The Government is considering the approach to improving access to nature and is committed to working with stakeholders as this develops. A further update will be provided in due course.